Red Sox closer Koji Uehara misses out on All-Star bid

SEATTLE — Koji Uehara finished a distant fourth in the online voting for the final spot on the American League All-Star team. He didn’t get the news until after picking up his latest save for the Red Sox.

Uehara needed only 13 pitches to retire the Mariners in order in the bottom of the 10th inning of an 8-7 victory Thursday. He celebrated with his usual exuberance and that didn’t dim when he got to the clubhouse and heard about the All-Star voting.

Toronto righthander Steve Delabar won the voting, with David Robertson of the Yankees second. According to Major League Baseball, 79.2 million votes were cast.

Many of teammates campaigned for Uehara through social media. But he fell short.

Uehara has converted six of eight save chances since replacing Andrew Bailey as the closer.